Goldin - “The Humorous Wizard” aka “The Royal Illusionist”

Sawing a woman in half is one of, if not the most famous illusion in magic. This post is about the early days of the magician who became world famous for his version of the trick.


A flier for Horace Goldin's "Sawing a Woman in Half"

Horace Goldin was born some sources say on December 17, 1873 in Vilnius, Lithuania as Hyman Elias Goldstein. He was of Polish descent. His family came to America and settled in Nashville, Tennessee when Goldin was around 16. An interest in magic started while he was young, and Goldin began performing around 1894 and called himself “The Humorous Wizard”. He ran an ad in the “Artist Era” in February 1896.

"Artist Era" Advertisement for February, 1896

Probably around this same time, Goldin had a throw-out card produced using the same image and title. I have two throw-out cards of Goldin and I was fortunate to be able to acquire this example of his card as the “Humorous Wizard” some years ago. It had originally been preserved in a scrapbook of early magicians.

Horace Goldin's early throw-out card.

The “Mahatma” during this time had this to say about Goldin: “Horace Goldin, the humorous wizard, has made an enviable reputation on the variety stage. The egg bag is one of Goldin’s hits. That he appears in the best houses speaks well for his skill.”

Due to difficulties with his speech, he decided to do a silent act at a very rapid pace, something he had seen Imro Fox do. This became Goldin’s “The Whirlwind Illusionist” period. He became one of magic’s most successful illusionists both in America and in Europe. Goldin gave performances before European Royalty. Never one to not capitalize on an opportunity, Goldin then started billing himself,  “The Royal Illusionist”.

Postcards of Horace Goldin.

While P. T. Selbit invented the “Sawing a Woman in Half” illusion, it was Goldin’s different version that most everyone remembers to this day. In Goldin’s version, the lady in the box had her head and feet exposed to the audience during the sawing in half. He had many forms of advertising produced in conjunction with the Sawing including the throw-out card below. Goldin later came up with a more incredible version in which the box was done away with, and the lady assistant was in full view of the audience. Goldin then proceeded to cut her in two with a Buzz Saw!

A later throw-out card of Goldin advertising his greatest creation.

Horace Goldin's Buzz Saw Illusion.  (Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

There is no doubt that Horace Goldin was one of the greatest illusionists of the twentieth century. The impact of the illusions he devised are still being felt to this day. Horace Goldin died on August 22, 1939 at the age of 65. He made his home in his final years in Great Britain.